Defined licence

About

A Defined licence is a conditional form of licensing. It is issued to physicians who don’t hold the qualifications for a Full licence.

It is time-limited and allows physicians to practise under supervision while working towards long-term licensure.

A decision on long-term licensing can be made as early as 6 months after starting practice, after a successful period of supervision. With this pathway, physicians can obtain long-term Restricted licensure without further supervision requirements. They also do not need to challenge additional exams.

Before you apply

  1. Ensure you meet all licensing requirements listed in the credentials section below.

  2. Verify your medical degree, postgraduate training, and specialty certificates using one of the following:

  3. Connect with Nova Scotia Health or the IWK to explore practice opportunities:

Credentials

Recognized medical degree

Satisfactory training or licensure

  • Registration and licensure on the General Practitioner or Specialist Register without restrictions or conditions with the General Medical Council in the United Kingdom; or
  • Registration and licensure on the Specialist Register without restrictions or conditions with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency; or
  • Registration and licensure on the Vocational Scope Register without restrictions or conditions with the Medical Council of New Zealand
  • Eligibility to challenge the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s certification exam
  • Eligibility to challenge the College of Family Physicians of Canada’s certification exam

Currency of practice

Complete at least 450 hours of clinical practice in the scope of practice you intend to practice in Nova Scotia within the three years preceding your start date in Nova Scotia.

English language proficiency

You will be exempt from language testing if you have one of the following:

  • you successfully completed one of the following technical examinations in English:
    • Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I
    • College of Family Physicians of Canada certification examinations (written and oral)
    • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada certification examinations (written and oral)
  • a letter from your postgraduate training program confirming that your training was conducted in English and that the primary language for patient care was also in English
    • please note this only applies if you completed your postgraduate training within the last 5 years

Otherwise, the College will require one of the following:

  • IELTS* – Academic taken within the 24 months prior to applying, with a minimum score of 7 on each component
  • OET – Medicine taken within the 24 months prior to applying, with a minimum score of B on each component
  • CELPIP* – General taken within the 24 months prior to applying, with a minimum score of 9 on each component

* The College will only accept the IELTS-Academic and CELPIP-General until January 1, 2027. Any test results dated before January 1, 2027, will be considered when determining an applicant’s ELP.

Review of qualifications

The licensure application is comprised of a two-part process: a Review of Qualifications and the balance of the application.

The purpose of a Review of Qualifications is to review and verify your credentials to confirm your eligibility for licensure.

You start this review by submitting an ‘application for medical registration’ through physiciansapply.ca. This is separate from verifying your documents through the same portal.

Before initiating a Review of Qualifications, please ensure you have completed the following:

  • A review of the credentials checklist to ensure you meet all qualifications.
  • When applicable, have your English language test reports ready for submission.

What to expect after submitting the Review of Qualifications:

  • A Registration Agent will be assigned to your file and will be in touch to provide a list of documents to complete your review.
  • Upon receipt of all required documents and confirmation of requirements for licensure eligibility, you will receive a letter confirming your eligibility for licensure. This can be presented when securing a letter of offer.

Letter of offer

After receiving a letter confirming you are eligible for a licence, you can start to look for job openings and apply for positions. However, it’s best to wait until you get a letter of offer before starting the rest of your application. If you want to start early, check the expiry timelines for your documents. You can find more details under completing your application.

If you intend to practise privately, virtually, or on a locum basis please notify your registration agent to discuss the next steps.

Step 1

Go to the Nova Scotia More than Medicine website to see current job opportunities in Nova Scotia. Work with local health authorities to find a job:

Step 2

Note: For people who do not have a work permit, Canadian permanent residency, or Canadian citizenship.

After you get a letter of offer, Nova Scotia Health (NSH) has available in-house immigration expertise to support you through your immigration application. More information will be provided by NSH.

Completing your application

Your eligibility letter includes instructions on how to start your application on physiciansapply.ca. At this stage, you will need to provide documents to show your character, competence, and ability to practise medicine in Nova Scotia.

Follow these steps to complete your application:

  1. complete your application on physiciansapply.ca.
  2. a Registration Agent will be assigned to your file and will send you a list of required documents.
  3. submit your documents in this order:*
    1. credentials-based documents, College consent and declaration forms, and identity support documents can be submitted at any time
    2. no earlier than 12 months before your start date:
      1. references
      2. criminal record checks through CSI screening
    3. after you receive your letter of offer:
      1. letter of intent
    4. no earlier than three months before your start date:
      1. certificates of professional conduct
    5. after you get approval for your work permit (if needed):
      1. a virtual interview will be scheduled to review your licensing undertaking
      2. licensure and supervision fees will be invoiced
    6. after you arrive in Canada (if needed):
      1. work permit
  4. once all required documents are received, your file can be approved and your licence issued within 1–3 business days. Plan to get your licence at least two weeks before your first shift to allow time for credentialing/privileging, obtaining a billing number, and IT setup.

* Submitting documents in this order helps avoid duplication due to missing or expired information. However, outside factors may affect the time needed to complete your application. If you have questions about when to submit documents, contact your Registration Agent for help.

After licensure

Here are some resources to help you settle into your new life and your new practice in our province:

Checklist

    The College acknowledges that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship. We also acknowledge that people of African descent have been in Nova Scotia for over 400 years, and we honour and offer gratitude to those ancestors.